Henri Matisse once said that “creativity takes courage.” To create is to put an intimate piece of yourself on display for the world to see. Art takes guts and it’s not surprising that Remy, the curator and creator behind The Kuration Gallery is an artist as well as an entrepreneur. She fearlessly launched her online gallery mid-pandemic to give Canadian artists a platform to share their passion with the world.
Remy and I met up for a Google Hangout to talk about the gallery, finding the motivation to pursue your passion, staying inspired through the pandemic, and the healing power of art.
What inspired you to start The Kuration Gallery?
I believe that artists should make a living doing what they love. I started The Kuration Gallery as a space for Canadians to connect with, purchase from, and appreciate local artists. It’s a place where artists can confidently show their work to reach new, worldwide audiences. Sharing your art and having it felt globally is truly special. I want to make art accessible which is why all of our online exhibits are free. Whether you’re ready to buy or not you’ll leave feeling inspired.
Art makes people feel good.
Remy
Are you an artist?
I’ve been passionate about art since my days of drawing on the walls as a kid. I took art classes but I was always taught to believe that art was just a hobby. That once I grew up, I should get a “real job.” I saw a TikTok where the creator said, “I’m an artist” and the other person responded with “are you any good?” I thought, why do we ask if an artist is any good? It’s an unspoken issue that artists deal with, the idea that if you’re not good then you’re not an artist. For a long time I pushed my creative passion to the side and let my self-doubt hold me back from saying that I’m an artist. I do digital illustrations, painting, and drawing. I’m constantly learning, experimenting, and I think that’s what makes a true artist.
Creative industries have this concept of critics – a person who criticizes someone else’s creative expression. Does that create a sort of elitism in art that’s intimidating for up and coming creatives?
It really depends on how you define success. The elements of good art are important and take time to master, however the learning process is the beauty of it. When you show a piece that evokes an emotional response, that to me, is successful.
How do you choose the artists The Kuration Gallery works with?
We focus on exhibiting Canadian artists who use different art types and mediums. I like working with artists who are passionate, driven, and want to be part of a community. Whether they’re emerging, established, pursuing art full-time, or as a side-hustle, I want artists to feel confident in connecting with us.
On social media, I like to see artwork presented in a visually-appealing way. You don’t have to be a social media master or have a huge following. Some artists would rather create than focus on the business-side of things and that’s ok. It’s our job to elevate their presence and promote their work online.
What advice do you have for emerging artists?
Create for yourself. Whether you end up selling a piece or not, art can be therapeutic. When I’m pouring myself into my art I’m so focused on what I’m doing that nothing else matters. You don’t have to be good, you don’t have to know what you’re doing. Art is unique. You can tell two artists to paint the exact same thing and they’ll both come up with something different.
Let go of perfectionism and negative thoughts. Get creative, experiment, and have fun! If you make something you don’t like, just close your sketchbook and try again another day. Whenever I lack motivation I tell myself to keep going because eventually it will happen. My firm belief is that consistent hard work gets noticed.
How are you staying inspired throughout the pandemic?
I watched a documentary about Princess Diana that inspired me. My inspiration comes from unlikely places. I look at other artists on IG, and Pinterest, or at photos, and blogs. A completely different medium or style can spark my motivation to create. Over the pandemic, I’ve learned to look to my immediate surroundings for inspiration. I get creative ideas from the most mundane parts of everyday life.
How has the pandemic impacted the creative communities you work with?
The pandemic has given artists more time to create and pursue their passions. Art brightens your space and it can have a positive impact on your mental health. In hard times, art isn’t always considered a necessity and artistic communities are feeling the impact of that. Creatives often rely on in-person events to network, meet buyers, and to get their name out there. Now, there aren’t as many opportunities for organic conversations that aren’t sales-focused. Most traditional galleries have shifted their exhibits from in-person to digital. They’ve lost the experience of admiring artwork up-close, talking to an artist, and uncovering the meaning behind their work.
Artists can connect with larger audiences because more people are online. My day job is in digital marketing which inspired me to recreate the atmosphere of an in-person art show using UX design principles, social media, and artist-driven content. The goal is to create easy-to-navigate, user-friendly spaces that capture attention. In the future I’d like to incorporate more video content and emerging tech to further immerse audiences in the experience.
What role does social media play?
People often buy art because they want to support a specific artist. Social media plays a big role in helping them discover the art that resonates with them. We update our Facebook, IG, and Pinterest regularly. We also do a lot of digital marketing to get our artists in front of new audiences.
What artist social media accounts inspire you?
Aside from all of the artists we represent, Anthony Ricciardi really inspires me. He does graffiti and murals. He was in the corporate world before taking the leap to pursue his artistic passion full-time. His hard work and dedication paid off because he’s killing it!
What should artists do more of on social media?
They should post consistently and experiment with different tools like Stories and Reels. Someone might see their art and share it helping them reach more people. Sharing your personal story as an artist also helps people relate to you. Being vulnerable and sharing a piece of yourself with the world is scary, but that’s essentially what you’re doing as an artist.
Tell your story because there are people out there who want to know the real you.
Remy
Where do you see the future of The Kuration Gallery?
I’d like to represent more artists and continue to elevate our online experience. I’d also love to host a pop-up gallery when it’s safe to do so. Long-term, I’d like to add a non-profit aspect to what we do. I believe in the healing power of art and bringing it to people who really need it. Art helped me get through some really tough times and making the healing power of art more accessible would be a dream come true.
Have you discovered (or re-discovered) any creative outlets during the pandemic? Leave a comment below to let me know what’s keeping you inspired.
